San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar
“Food was very good, tried a panuozzo for the first time (delicious) and 2 pizzas.”
“While I don't find myself on the Upper East Side very often, if I'm ever in the hood I always end up at San Matteo.”
“Amazing pizzas just kept popping out of the brick oven, and I can't remember drinking better coffee.”
San Matteo Pizza and Espresso Bar
Takes Reservations: Yes
Delivery: Yes
Take-out: Yes
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Outdoor Seating: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Came here a while ago. The pizza here is FAT! And the people were nice and the space was small. The prices are typical for the UES. Cute little hole in the wall.
About as authentically Italian as it gets, with that hole-in-the-wall atmosphere to boot, you'll love the food and ambiance of San Matteo, if you can get a seat.
San Matteo is a great example of a small as you can get, hole-in-the-wall, tucked away eateries that New Yorkers rave about when they try to justify living in a city where their monthly rent for a closet-sized studio apartment costs as much as a down payment on a house. The place is small, tiny even, seating maybe 20 people in a cramped narrow space. But that's part of charm of this place, with an even smaller kitchen area where you can watch the pizza magic happen and a particular gregarious (if sometimes obnoxious) very Italian host.
I came here with some friends and we ordered a bottle of red wine and two pizzas. The wine prices were about right for a pizza place ($30-40 a bottle), with a great selection of reds and whites that complements the food really well. You really cannot go wrong with any of the pizzas – each pie is roughly $14-18 and one is enough for two people. Crisp yet still soft crust, with plenty of fresh toppings – I love the blends of cheeses on the pies (buffalo mozzarella, provolone, Gorgonzola, Swiss).
Overall, you won't regret coming to San Matteo, unless your claustrophobic or hate delicious pizza. It's certainly worth a visit if you're in the Upper East Side and definitely a step up from any pizza chain in the city.
Excellent Neapolitan style pizza. Authentic to Naples they use homemade tomato sauce that has a nice zest and tang to it and they go light with the mozzarella. The crust was just right, fluffy and crispy on the edges.
The eggplant is amazing, even people who dislike eggplant will love it here.
I feel that I've said this in past reviews, but I'll beat a dead horse just a little bit: One of my aunts, a resident of the UES for 40+ years, is very passionate and loyal to certain Italian joints in and around her neighborhood. When she asked me out to brunch at San Matteo on Sunday a few weeks ago (…when it was a warm and sunny April and not this cold rainy May we've been trudging through…), I knew this place would be great. Indeed, I was not disappointed!
Though small in size, we enjoyed a brunch al fresco, with the corner of Ruppert Park providing some greenary to look at. She went on and on about how great the sandwiches and pizzas are, but we opted to split a couple of small plates, which was a wise decision for us. We ordered the meatballs, swimming in a lucious red marinara, and a caprese salad. The meatballs were some of the best I've ever had; trendy places like The Meatball Shop can't hold a touch to something this authentic. The caprese salad was top notch, the burrata cheese literally melted and dripped with fresh cream. I could have easily eaten another.
Though I got a small taste of what they have to offer, I'd love to go back and try their entrees! My aunt, as usual, knows her good Italian joints!
Are you looking for a locally owned, authentic neighborhood pizza joint? This is the place.
It's small, but if your timing is right you get seated with a very minimal wait and make friends with the people sitting next to you. You'll hear Italian spoken by the patrons and servers/owner alike. It's awesome!
Many have said that the margherita pizza is the one to get. Listen to those reviews. It was great! However, if you are a lover of Papa John's or the main stream pizza companies, this is different and prepare your tastebuds to taste how pizza should be made. The taste is fresh, no added sugars, real homemade mozzarella. The crust, oh the crust…thin, wood fired, and soft.
If you are a party of two, get a pizza and salad to share…then if you are still hungry order more. Besides, your table probably can't hold much more at the same time.
Mangia bene!
As unique and authentic as it gets, you are greeted in Italian and can't help to feel some charming old world vibe.
I know, this is New York City, Pizza capital of the world, however, San Matteo stands out with very unique pies, as special as it is to enjoy a slice of NY Style pizza in your neighborhood corner joint, a trip to UES to enjoy an unmatched experience in San Matteo is definitely worth it.
Check it out.
Margarita pie was terrible. From the overcooked, tasteless crust to the tasteless sauce and cheese. Pie was tiny at a high price but small size was a good thing since it was hard to finish. True let down from all the high reviews. Friendly service though!
Great place for pizza in Yorkville.
This small restaurant on 90th Street has been widely popular in the neighborhood for quite some time. Therefore, I recommend calling to make a reservation before 5:00 pm (note – they also recently expanded operations by opening an additional and larger location on 81st Street). Be prepared for an awesome meal once you grab a table.
The restaurant has a cozy, intimate, and authentic vibe. Management and servers alike are energetic, friendly, and attentive. Their menu boasts an array of antipasti, pizzas (reds and whites), panuozzi, calzones, and desserts. The pizza is Neapolitan-style, cooked in a brick oven, and tastes delicious!
The food is excellent. Normally, my group will order antipasti to start and a couple of pizzas to share. Two of my favorites for antipasti are the buffalo mozzarella and tagliere di salumi. I am partial to red pizzas in general so I tend to stick to that side of the menu. The classic margherita, diavola, and vestuti are great! I also enjoy the panuozzi di bartolomei.
I highly recommend this place for pizza enthusiasts. I am looking forward to my next meal!